Mari Winsor, celebrity fitness trainer who worked with Miley Cyrus, dies at 70 following seven-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease
- Trainer had also worked with stars such as Samuel L. Jackson and Sharon Stone
- She had been battling debilitating disease for seven years
- She's credited for bringing Pilates to the mainstream with her platform
Celebrity trainer Mari Winsor, who worked with stars such as Miley Cyrus, Madonna and Sharon Stone, died at the age of 70 on Tuesday following a seven-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
The Pilates expert died at her Sherman Oaks, California home with family and friends nearby Tuesday, ending a battle with ALS (progressive neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) that she'd fought bravely since 2013, her rep Alison Graham told the AP.
Winsor left her mark in show business in many ways, having been a dancer in the Michael Jackson video Smooth Criminal and his Moonwalker film; and in the Patrick Swayze film Roadhouse.
The latest: Celebrity trainer Mari Winsor, who worked with stars such as Miley Cyrus, Madonna and Sharon Stone, died at the age of 70 on Tuesday following a seven-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease
Other celebrities she had worked with included Drew Barrymore, Steven Spielberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Berkley and Melanie Griffith.
The affable fitness expert had marked her Pilates programs through both instructional videos and books, the latter of which she authored three.
Five years ago, she and Cyrus convened for a benefit walk in her fight against the disease, one of many events Winsor took part in to raise funds and spread awareness.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, friends and relatives organized three Zoom events for people around the world to remember the beloved trainer. (It was initially set up as a Celebration of Life ceremony, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was moved to teleconference.)
Pals: Five years ago, she and Cyrus convened for a benefit walk in her fight against the disease
Beloved: Miley gave her trainer a kiss on the head at the emotional event
In one of the Zoom events, Maria Shriver explained how personable and inclusive Winsor was, and how her friendship was unconditional.
'Mari always made me feel included whether I could do the Pilates or not,' Shriver said. 'She always said, "It's OK if you don't come back. I'll love you anyway. You'll find time when the time is right. You'll be able to come and do Pilates."'
Shriver said that the way people remembered Winsor was reflective of a life well lived: 'Our time here on Earth is really just the relationships that we touch the people that make up our world, and what a successful, extraordinary life Mari has led, and lived … and she will live on with everyone here.'
Battling: Winsor was snapped at an ALS fundraiser in Santa Monica, California in 2017
Practicing her craft: Winsor marketed her Pilates programs through videos and book
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